Ever since Sundance, when I announced that GreeneStreet scooped up international rights to The Nines, I’ve been faced with many questions. I knew the answer to the big one but couldn’t say. The answer to all the others depended on the first. So I’ve been sitting patiently, feigning detached acceptance, when I wanted to be shouting from the rooftops.
But since we made it official this morning, I’m now Mr. Answer Man.
Who’s releasing The Nines in the U.S.?
Newmarket. They’re the folks behind Donnie Darko and Memento. If you’ve got a challenging indie with geek appeal, they’re your distributor of choice.1 They’re partnered with Sony, who is handling all the home video/television stuff. Sony has done four of my movies, so I feel especially comfortable with them.
How long have you known?
Pretty much after the second screening. There were other players in the mix that first week after Sundance, so we ended up screening the movie all over town. But from my first meeting with the Newmarket folks, I strongly suspected it was going to work out. Did it take longer that I expected? Ohlordyes. As stressful as that legendary up-all-night Sundance dealmaking can be, at least it gets done quickly. The alternative is weeks of t-crossing and i-dotting, with multiple parties who always seem to be flying overseas. It was a marathon rather than a sprint, but the sales team for the movie (Rich Klubeck, David Kramer and Irwin Rappaport) got it across the finish line in great shape. The producers and I are hugely indebted to them.
How happy are you?
Very. The Nines is a movie which some people love fanatically, yet leaves other people scratching their heads. Newmarket has a great track record with this kind of film, and won’t try to market it as something it’s not. They’re small, and can give it the kind of steady nurturing it needs. As for Sony, they’re huge, and a giant home video distributor has a unique ability to get DVDs onto shelves. Whether the movie grosses $2 million or $20 million, I know that 99% of viewers will end up seeing it on a TV set. I want to make sure that it’s always available to be seen.
When can I see it?
How about tomorrow? We’re holding a special screening on Thursday night (April 12, 2007) in Hollywood. It’s mostly for vendors (the trailer-and-poster folk), but we have a limited number of seats available for readers of this very blog. It’s not a test screening; there are no cards to fill out. But we might email you afterwards to solicit your opinions on marketing matters.
If you want to come, here’s the skinny:
- Send your REAL NAME to… watchthenines@gmail.com…with the subject line “Thursday Night Screening.”
- Again, you have to email. Do not ask for tickets in the comments section, because you will be mercilessly mocked. I might even stick Yancy on you.
- All invites are you plus one guest.
- You need to be able to be there at 7:15 p.m., because it’s starting at 7:30 p.m. sharp.
- It’s first-come, first-serve. Don’t send in multiple emails. It’s not a lottery.2
- If you’re in, we will email you by 6 p.m. tonight (Wednesday) with details. If you don’t get an email, take heart — there will be more screenings.
(UPDATE: The email address is watchthenines@gmail.com, not watchforthenines. But both accounts are forwarding, so if you sent it to the latter, it will still go through.)
When is it coming to (insert town here)?
There’s talk of an early fall release, but some of that depends on a certain French festival which I don’t want to jinx by mentioning. Regardless, we’ll probably be a New York/Los Angeles exclusive at first, and then expand as the response merits. With this kind of movie, it’s entirely possible it won’t end up showing at your local multiplex. And that’s okay. That’s what DVDs are for.
When is it coming to (insert country here)?
The international release will follow the domestic release, but every country will be different. We’ll have more information on the official site as soon as we know.
When can we see a trailer?
Dude, when can I see a trailer? I’m as curious as you. I’ve seen artwork for the international posters, which rock. So we’re off to a good start.